Graduate Food Interview Questions

If you're a graduate looking to get into a food role and need to get a feel for the kind of questions employers might ask at interview, then make sure you research these graduate food interview questions below. These questions and answers are taken from real graduate interviews, and compiled to give you an idea of what to expect and how to prepare your answers.

Example Food Interview Questions:

What do you think sets us apart from our competitors?

This question is set up to test a candidate’s industry knowledge, and highlights the need for thorough research into the company and others in the industry prior to interviewing. The difference may be in sourcing, in product quality, in pricing etc etc.

Why is food marketing different from other types of marketing?

When you sell in the Food, Drink and Catering sector, you are selling an image and a lifestyle as much as a product. A large part of how we form our identity is from what we eat and where we eat it. So when answering this question you will need to appreciate this and acknowledge the importance of trends in consumption patterns. Another way that marketing food is different is the strict laws that will limit your actions, particularly with alcoholic beverages.

What do you perceive to be the worst thing about working in the catering industry?

This is a testing question that will require a delicate answer. If you are applying to a particular part of the catering industry then it may be a good idea to say that a different area of the industry is the worst thing. Typical answers may include late nights when on a function or having to cope with the constant high labor turnover. You may note the waste occasionally involved in the catering industry and could suggest ways to overcome this. Find a way to include a positive twist.